Rizzo takes reins as Revere mayor

REVERE – Mayor Dan Rizzo exhibited a sense of promise and excitement for the future of Revere at his inauguration Monday night.”Today, the city of Revere is ready for a change,” Rizzo said to a crowded Revere High School Auditorium. “For the parents who believe every student should earn a high school diploma, for the neighbor who deserves to walk on the streets safely, this is your night.”Rizzo was sworn into office along with the new city council and school committee. New councilors Jessica Giannino and Brian Arrigo were sworn into office along with returning members Ira Novoselsky, Arthur F. Guinasso, Stephen Reardon, John Powers, Charles J. Patch Sr., Robert Haas, Jr., Anthony Zambuto and John Correggio.School committee members Michael Ferrante, Dan Maguire, Donna Wood Pruitt, Stacey A. Rizzo, Frederick A. Sannella and Carol A. Tye were also sworn in.The new mayor said that public safety is his top priority. “I don’t want people to just be safe but to feel safe as well. There have been many times where people have told me they are afraid to walk the streets they have walked for a lifetime,” Rizzo said. “These are problems I take personally.””I promise, on Day 1, I will work to improve this,” Rizzo added.Bringing more economic development into Revere is another main priority for Rizzo. The newly minted mayor said he is going to create a new position of economic director whose main goal would be to work within and outside the city to bring more business into Revere. “We need to find ways to bring more jobs to the city,” Rizzo said.Rizzo encouraged the city to embrace its ever growing diverse community. “We could learn a lot from a box of crayons. There are some that are sharp, some that are pretty and some with weird names,” Rizzo said. “However, all have learned to live together in the same box.”He said that he is going to create a new office for new Revere citizens to help them acclimate into the community and become more involved. The office will be staffed with volunteers.Sgt. Daniel M. Clark sang the National Anthem and “God Bless America” during the program. The enthusiastic soloist at one point sang every branch of the military’s song and made audience members stand up if they or someone they loved was a member of the military.”Mayor Dan Rizzo told me that he doesn’t want people to leave tonight only feeling pride for Revere but pride for this country as well,” Clark said.After the ceremony, the new council unanimously voted Ward 1 Councilor Richard A. Penta new council president and Ward 3 Councilor Arthur G. Guinasso new council vice-president.”I feel that the city is in a positive direction,” Guinasso said. “Rizzo has the full support of the council and that is a good way to begin.”New Councilors at large Giannino and Arrigo agreed that the new council will work well together.”I feel like we have a great administration and we have a great working relationship with Mayor Rizzo,” Arrigo said.Both are excited to get to work. “I’m so excited. All the hard work has paid off,” Giannino said. “I can’t wait to get in there.””There has been this long period where we were councilors- elect. Now, we are finally councilors,” Arrigo said.Sara Brown may be reached at [email protected]